Full Press Release Details
Can-Fite: Namodenoson's Inhibition
of Pancreatic Carcinoma Receives Recognition from the American Society of Clinical
TIKVA, Israel, May 30, 2023 -- Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CANF), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline
of proprietary small molecule drugs that address oncology, inflammatory and liver diseases, today announced that its study titled "Effects
of Namodenoson on Pancreatic Carcinoma: Preclinical Evidence" is published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology supplement
of the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings. The abstract can be read here: LINK
The pre-clinical study used advanced pancreatic
carcinoma patient cells that were treated with Namodenoson as a stand-alone and in combination with gemcitabine, the leading chemotherapy
used to treat pancreatic cancer.
A significant dose-dependent inhibition of pancreatic
cancer cell growth was found when the cells were exposed to Namodenoson. The combined treatment with Namodenoson plus gemcitabine had
an additive inhibitory effect. The molecular mechanism of action, downregulation of the Wnt signaling pathway, is known to be active in
pancreatic cancer and also reflects the well-established mechanism of action of Can-Fite's small molecule drug platform.
Can-Fite plans to initiate an open-label Phase
2a exploratory trial to assess the efficacy and safety of Namodenoson in the treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer who have received
at least one previous systemic therapy. Safety and efficacy endpoints including objective response, progression-free survival, duration
of response, disease control, and overall survival will be monitored. The study will be conducted by Dr. Salomon Stemmer, an oncology
key opinion leader and Professor at the Institute of Oncology, Rabin Medical Center, Israel.
"These encouraging results in pancreatic
cancer are very much in line with our findings for Namodenoson in advanced liver cancer clinical trials," stated Can-Fite CEO Dr.
Pnina Fishman. "We are pleased to have these data shared through ASCO's annual meeting, where we expect it will get high visibility
with leading oncologists focused on pancreatic cancer as well as potential research and development partners as we head into our exploratory
About Pancreatic Cancer
The highest incidence rates for
pancreatic cancer are in Asia, Europe, and North America. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), in 2020,
an estimated 496,000 people were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer globally and an estimated 466,000 died from the disease. The 5-year
survival rate for people with pancreatic cancer in the U.S. is 11%. Acumen Research estimates the global pancreatic
cancer therapeutics market was valued at approximately $3.6 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow to approximately $6.6 billion by
Namodenoson was evaluated
in Phase II trials for two indications, as a second line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and as a treatment for non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It is currently in a Phase IIb trial for NASH and a pivotal Phase
III for HCC. Namodenoson is a small orally bioavailable drug that binds with high affinity and selectivity to the A3 adenosine receptor
(A3AR). A3AR is highly expressed in diseased cells whereas low expression is found in normal cells. This differential effect accounts
for the excellent safety profile of the drug.
About Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd.
Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF)
(TASE: CANF) is an advanced clinical stage drug development Company with a platform technology that is designed to address multi-billion
dollar markets in the treatment of cancer, liver, and inflammatory disease. The Company's lead drug candidate, Piclidenoson recently reported
topline results in a Phase III trial for psoriasis. Can-Fite's liver drug, Namodenoson, is being evaluated in a Phase IIb trial for the
treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and enrollment is expected to commence in a Phase III trial for hepatocellular carcinoma
(HCC), the most common form of liver cancer. Namodenoson has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. and Europe and Fast Track
Designation as a second line treatment for HCC by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Namodenoson has also shown proof of concept to
potentially treat other cancers including colon, prostate, and melanoma. CF602, the Company's third drug candidate, has shown efficacy
in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. These drugs have an excellent safety profile with experience in over 1,500 patients in clinical
studies to date. For more information please visit: www.can-fite.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
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to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include, among other things, our history of losses and
needs for additional capital to fund our operations and our inability to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms, or at all; uncertainties
of cash flows and inability to meet working capital needs; the initiation, timing, progress and results of our preclinical studies, clinical
trials and other product candidate development efforts; our ability to advance our product candidates into clinical trials or to successfully
complete our preclinical studies or clinical trials; our receipt of regulatory approvals for our product candidates, and the timing of
other regulatory filings and approvals; the clinical development, commercialization and market acceptance of our product candidates; our
ability to establish and maintain strategic partnerships and other corporate collaborations; the implementation of our business model
and strategic plans for our business and product candidates; the scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual
property rights covering our product candidates and our ability to operate our business without infringing the intellectual property rights
of others; competitive companies, technologies and our industry; risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine;
risks related to not satisfying the continued listing requirements of NYSE American; and statements as to the impact of the political
and security situation in Israel on our business. More information on these risks, uncertainties and other factors is included from time
to time in the "Risk Factors" section of Can-Fite's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 30, 2023
and other public reports filed with the SEC and in its periodic filings with the TASE. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Can-Fite undertakes no obligation
to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise,
except as may be required by any applicable securities laws.